The new majority owner of Patch, the network of hyperlocal news websites acquired from AOL, laid off hundreds of journalists today, including the editor of Westport Patch, according to published reports and sources who asked to remain anonymous.

FoxBusiness.com said all sites will remain operating with a skeleton staff.

Business Insider said all but about five of approximately 100 employees operating 67 Connecticut sites were let go. The Hartford Courant quoted an unnamed employee as saying about three-quarters of the state’s employees received notice.

The layoffs, said to number hundreds nationwide, came two weeks after AOL sold the majority stake of Patch to the investment company Hale Global. And it came five months after Patch eliminated about 500 jobs nationwide.